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JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY “GOD IN JAINISM”
universe. Karma is an important factor, which cannot be ignored in explaining the inequality of beings of the universe."
Karmavāda: A Historic Perspective in Indian Philosophy
The Vedas are earliest literary record of the world. There are two opinions regarding whether Vedic seers were aware of karma theory or not?
The first view maintains that the Vedic seers were not aware of the karma theory, since there is no mention of it in Vedic literature. Vedic philosophers explained elements which are the root cause of the diversity in the world and others maintained that Prajāpati Brahmā is the ultimate source of this variety in this world. Thus the cause has been referred to as some divine destiny i.e. they looked outward to seek cause of the complexity in the universe. Mitra, Varuna and other gods were worshiped and invoked to give them happiness in the wcrld. Yajña were performed and oblation like material objects and living animals were offered in Yajñas. This stream of thought could be traced in the age of the Samhitā and Brāhamaņas." Later on, in the age of Upanișads there is a shift in the emphasis in philosophical speculation and emphasis on karma casually gained round.
The second view maintains that the karma theory in its real form could be traced in Ķgveda, wherein it has been suggested that one who performs auspicious karma attains immortality (amaratva). Jiva or soul continuously takes birth and dies in this world. Men worship gods and pray to them for the sake of getting themselves away from the evil effects of karma and rebirth. It has also been described that the Jiva (soul) due to its karma takes different forms in the different births like a tree or a creeper etc. Primarily, a Jīva experiences the fruits of karma due to the activities performed by oneself, but sometimes through a peculiar influence of
''Āptamīmāṁsā, kārikā, 8-91. "Dalsukh Malvania, “Ātmamimāṁsā”, P- 78-80
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